Thursday, September 27, 2012

Last year i missed out on the super non dolla' store looking ceramic pumpkins, and this year i was determined to not let that happen. Even if it meant buying the pumpkins while it was still 100 degrees out. Because like i've been known to say, "It's always Fall and Halloween in my heart." Seriously. I say that. Isn't that the corniest thing? And i don't work for Hallmark.

Although wouldn't that be fun?Restraint is not my strong suit, ok? I bought a few pumpkins, figuring i'd just add them in around the house, on shelves, etc, but then these images inspired a new (to me, anyway) way of thinking.

Martha Stewart

Country Living

Hey, i've got candlesticks from thrifting past, and now i've got a plethora of pumpkins. Let's do this!

Can i just tell you how much i love this nubby one? It's spot on for a real pumpkin, no?

Although i liked the table runner valances, this space needed more red.

Originally i looked for patterned curtains, b/c this is the least patternish room in my house, but i had no luck finding them. Then i looked for a red patterned table runner, again, no such luck.

But i did find this set of fun placemats that i turned into a tablerunner.

And of course, this happened....

And then this...because clearly there's no where else to play except on the table, my mirror, and my new lighting for the guest room.

I just hope they don't look at the pumpkins balancing ever so precisely as another thing to play with! Let's look at pretty again....

Monday, September 24, 2012

So....this is happening. Like, actually happening. After years of me saying we're so super close to being done...we're actually so super close to being done.

Why yes, that is a kegerator (and yes, i had to look up how to spell that), and the TV will be recessed into that space above the gas fireplace.

Tag teaming the baseboard, all made by S's brother in his shop. The picture's a little blurry-i'm rolling with my right hand, and trying to take the picture with my left (the wrong hand) and S didn't get the memo to stop moving for a moment!

We're calling the look retro modern drive in inspired, and we are LOVING the reflection of the tiles in the cabinet doors. However, the bar will be going in front of the doors (see the hole for the sink hookup?) so we have to figure out a way to make the bar front reflective. We're thinking painting it the same bold color as the fireplace, but then plexiglass or glass on top to reflect the tiles. Those doors are Ikea--they were a "last chance" deal so when we finally installed them and saw their kick assery, it was too late to order more to build into the bar. The cabinets were made by S and his brother in law, and will be topped with black granite like the bar top will be.

Just wanted to show you the skills that had to go into laying this tile, and the extra measures that we took to make them level. Those little yellow things are used to hold the tiles down where it's needed, b/c the flooring in the basement is super wonky. After some black grout, it will look amazing!

Now i know "retro modern drive in inspired" is not everyone's look, and in fact, most people rip up this black and white flooring in favor of something else, but what can i say? We can still appreciate the look of something even if it isn't exactly what we'd want for ourselves, right? I don't like shabby chic/french inspired/country/tuscan for myself, but i appreciate the time someone spends perfecting their home to reflect their style.

And i promise (like i've been promising) to go waaaay back with the basement and where it started, but now that it's coming together, i'm just too excited to hold back.